Driving barefoot in Georgia is legal. There are no Georgia statutes prohibiting barefoot driving.
Why Georgia has no barefoot driving law
- Georgia focuses on demonstrably risky driving behaviors, such as drunk driving, rather than footwear.
- Barefoot driving risks are less defined and harder to objectively measure.
- Georgia traffic laws focus on the driver’s ability to control the vehicle safely, regardless of footwear.
Even though barefoot driving is legal in Georgia, there can be some potential concerns and considerations:
- Safety
- Bare feet can slip on pedals due to sweat or spilled drinks, which could cause an accident.
- Driving barefoot can be distracting.
- If an accident occurs and it’s determined that driving barefoot contributed to the crash, a driver could be cited for reckless driving.
- Insurance
- In the event of an accident, some car insurance companies may view barefoot driving as reckless behavior, which could lead to a denied claim or increased premiums.
- Commercial drivers
- Company policies might explicitly prohibit barefoot driving for commercial drivers.
- Medical conditions
- People with diabetes face additional risks when driving barefoot.
- Foot health
- Bare feet are exposed to hazards that can cause injuries.
- Pressure and friction from pedals can cause blisters or burns on bare feet.
Sources:
[1] https://jewkesfirm.com/blog/10-driving-laws-in-georgia-that-may-surprise-you/
[2] https://1800lionlaw.com/is-it-illegal-to-drive-barefoot/
[3] https://www.classiccitynews.com/post/georgia-s-barefoot-driving-law-the-weirdest-law-you-never-knew-existed
